November 1, 2007
NEA to Congress: Comply or Perish
The powerful National Education Association is giving members of Congress until the close of business on Nov. 16th to sign on as official co-sponsors of the union's favorite accountability-busting bills to amend the No Child Left Behind Act, according to letters sent yesterday to members of the House and Senate.
If they aren't listed as co-sponsors by the time Congressional staffers are on their second beer of the evening (official close of business?) it will adversely impact their rating on the NEA Report Card for the session. Getting placed on the NEA's "naughty congressman list" will obviously play a role determining future support from the union.
What ever happened to support for multiple measures? Isn't it cruel/unfair to hold a Legislator accountable for the results of a single test? Basing someone's job status on a test score? Shouldn't we allow for voting growth models, for Congressmen who aren't totally there yet but making praiseworthy progress? Holding non-English speaking electeds to the same standard? Etc.
You get what I mean.
Text of the bully-letter to Congress-folks after the jump.
Do you think the NEA lobbyists considered unleashing an even greater threat, like, "If you don't sign on as a co-sponsor, we're going to plant Reg Weaver out on your front lawn with his guitar to sing that solidarity forever song until you break down once and for all and sign!"??? Boom! Longest list of co-sponsors in American history, guaranteed!
UPDATE: The long list of NEA-endorsed NCLB-related bills (referred to in the letter on the jump) is here.
October 31, 2007
The Honorable U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-4903
Dear Congressman
On behalf of the National Education Association's 3.2 million members, we are writing to remind you that the National Education Association (NEA) is seeking cosponsors of proposed House and Senate bills described in the attached document.
Included are 17 House and Senate bills to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act or the No Child Left Behind Act. While NEA has endorsed more than 100 such bills, the attached memorandum necessarily highlights only those proposals that are most comprehensive in scope or address NEA’s highest legislative priorities. The list also includes priority bills on other issues.
Cosponsorship by November 16, 2007 of bills on the attached list will impact positively a Member of Congress’ score and overall grade on NEA’s Legislative Report Card (voting ratings) for the 110th Congress, 1st Session. Please note: the NEA Report Card for this session will only reflect cosponsorships on record as of close of business on November 16, 2007.
Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the NEA lobbyist assigned to your office:
Members from DE, KY, MD, NC, OH, VA, WV: Kim Anderson, KAnderson@nea.org, 202-822-7341
Members from AZ, CA, CO, NM, TX: Al Campos, ACampos@nea.org, 202-822-7345
Members from IA, KS, MO, NE, OK, SD, UT, WY: Erin Duncan, EDuncan@nea.org, 202-822-7394
Members from AK, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA: Steve Nousen, SNousen@nea.org, 202-822-7597
Members from CT, MA, ME, ND, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT: Nancy O’Brien, NOBrien@nea.org, 202-822-7371
Members from AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN: Shilpa Reddy, SReddy@nea.org, 202-822-7331
Members from IL, IN, MI, MN, WI: Merwyn Scott, MScott@nea.org, 202-822-7965
Sincerely,
Diane Shust Randall Moody
Director of Government Relations Manager of Federal Advocacy
